Heat pump water heater owners say the energy savings are worth it

"I've dramatically cut the amount of heating oil I'll be burning this winter."

For many homeowners, replacing appliances such as water heaters can lead to lower energy bills. For others, however, those upgrades can also create expensive new headaches.

After one homeowner shared enthusiasm about lowering energy costs with a new heat pump water heater, other Reddit users joined the discussion to offer both encouragement and cautions. One commenter said they had experienced two compressor failures in just 23 months.

What to know

In a post on Reddit's r/HeatPumps forum, one homeowner said they had replaced an 18-year-old indirect oil water heater with a 65-gallon A.O. Smith heat pump model as part of a broader push to reduce household fuel use.

The original poster wrote, "I should not be this excited… [But] Between this, my mini splits, and the redone insulation I've gotten in the past few years, I've dramatically slashed the amount of $6+/gallon heating oil I'll be burning this winter."

Several commenters said heat pump water heaters had made a major difference in their utility costs. One top response said, "I went from conventional electric to a Rheem Proterra HPWH and it made a huge difference on my electricity bill."

Another user wrote, "We've been extremely happy with our Geospring. The electricity savings have been quite dramatic." A third added, "AO Smith 80 gallon 4 years in, running like a champ. Have not run out of water, even when family and friends visit."

Others, though, warned that compressors can be a weak point. One commenter said, "They are junk. Compressor failure is very common," while another explained, "You bought a very similar model to mine. Since it's install, 1 year and 11 months ago, it's already died twice, both with the exact same failure. The compressor died."

For shoppers weighing their choices, Cala also offers smart heat pump water heaters. The company's customizable models are designed to heat water only when it is needed, which can help reduce energy bills. That ability to match water heating with household demand is an important factor to consider when comparing units.

Where can I learn more?

Other homeowners have also shared how much electricity their heat pump water heaters use and what prompted them to switch.

• Owners told a skeptical buyer their heat pump water heaters pay back in three years.

• A tracked Rheem heat pump water heater used just 650 kWh over 311 days.

• A Massachusetts homeowner said their heat pump water heater cut household power use.